Pakistan urged to make bold nutrition pledges at N4G summit 2025

ISLAMABAD: As the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit 2025 approaches, health and nutrition experts are calling on the government of Pakistan to take decisive actions to tackle malnutrition, food insecurity, and poor maternal and child health.

The summit, scheduled for March 27-28 in Paris, offers Pakistan a critical opportunity to make bold commitments to improve nutrition outcomes, particularly in the country’s most vulnerable districts.

Pakistan is struggling with alarming malnutrition rates, with 40% of children under five suffering from stunting and 18% experiencing wasting, according to the National Nutrition Survey 2018.

Experts emphasize that malnutrition is not just a health crisis—it is an economic burden that costs Pakistan over $17 billion annually in lost productivity and healthcare expenses. With escalating climate challenges and food insecurity, immediate policy and financial interventions are necessary to reverse the crisis.

Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University, stressed the need for evidence-based commitments at the global summit. “Pakistan must prioritize nutrition as a national emergency. The country needs comprehensive policies addressing not only food security but also maternal and child nutrition, education, poverty alleviation, and environmental factors affecting health outcomes,” he said.

Experts and nutrition scientists are urging Pakistan to make key commitments at the N4G Summit, including recognizing nutrition as a fundamental right in the Constitution, increasing domestic financing for nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions, and improving food fortification programs.

They also recommend scaling up costed multi-sectoral nutrition plans, enhancing the linkage between the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and maternal and child nutrition, and ensuring strict monitoring of nutrition indicators through the District Health Information Systems (DHIS).

Dr. Shabina Raza, Country Director of Nutrition International, highlighted Pakistan’s recent progress in nutrition and the importance of international platforms in reinforcing commitment.

“We commend the government of Pakistan for its strong commitment to nutrition, exemplified by the recently launched URAAN Pakistan initiative. The Nutrition for Growth (N4G) 2025 Summit, along with the upcoming World Health Assembly, provides pivotal platforms for Pakistan to showcase its leadership and reinforce its dedication to advancing nutrition through impactful policy, financial, and programmatic actions,” she said.

One of the most pressing challenges is improving maternal and child nutrition in Pakistan’s highest-burden districts. Experts recommend strict monitoring of low birth weight rates, anemia in pregnancy, and child growth indicators through routine immunization programs. They also stress the importance of improving breastfeeding rates, complementary feeding practices, and dietary diversification to combat malnutrition. Beyond immediate health interventions, experts are advocating for broader structural changes.

They call for the elimination of early marriages and teenage pregnancies, greater investments in clean water and sanitation, and targeted social safety nets to tackle extreme poverty and food insecurity. Nutrition scientists also emphasize the need to disincentivize the rising trend of obesity and non-communicable diseases through improved food environments and the promotion of physical activity.

Climate change is further exacerbating food insecurity in Pakistan, making it essential to integrate nutrition-sensitive agriculture, climate-smart food production, and disaster preparedness into the country’s long-term strategy.

Experts urge the government to prioritize investments in biofortification, support small-scale farmers in adapting to climate risks, and integrate nutrition objectives into Pakistan’s broader climate resilience policies.

With a high-level Pakistani delegation expected to attend the N4G Summit, observers believe that ambitious commitments could unlock new international partnerships and funding opportunities to accelerate progress toward national and global nutrition targets.

Experts warn that without urgent action, Pakistan risks facing an even greater nutrition crisis in the coming decades.

“The N4G Summit 2025 offers Pakistan a golden opportunity to take decisive action, commit to sustainable investments, and position itself as a leader in global nutrition efforts. Nutrition must be treated as a cross-sectoral priority—only then can we ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for Pakistan’s children,” Prof. Bhutta emphasized.

As Pakistan prepares for the global summit, experts remain hopeful that strong political will and evidence-based commitments will drive meaningful progress in addressing malnutrition and food insecurity, ensuring better health outcomes for millions of Pakistanis.